Wednesday, March 28, 2018 (Travel to Peace Arch RV Park, Surrey, BC)

We didn't need to hurry this morning since we couldn't get into our site at Peace Arch RV Park until after 1:00 and our drive there would only take a couple hours...or so.

Before we left, Steve called the local Co-op Store in Marysville to see if they had any Fresh Cab, a product he uses to repel mice from the trailer. They hadn't had any when we stopped on our way down, but now had some in stock. So our first stop when we pulled out of the casino was the Co-op, just on the other side of the I-5.

After purchasing a couple of boxes, and getting a propane tank filled, we were back on the I-5 continuing north. We crossed the Skagit River as we neared familiar territory...
All of a sudden traffic started slowing down. Eventually a couple of motorcycle cops passed by...oh no, not another accident!
That doesn't look good!
Look at the skid marks...
This guy passed us twice and his license plate indicated it was a BC Demonstration plate, a brand new RV. It appears from the mud and grass on it's side that it rolled onto it's side then back up onto it's wheels. There were no other vehicles that appeared to be involved.Hopefully everyone was okay.
Our next stop before hitting the border, was at the Pilot Travel Center in Ferndale to fuel up with diesel ($3.37/gallon)....we always stop on the way down and the way back. Then we continued over to Lynden, WA...
...and the Canadian Border crossing...
There were a few cars ahead of us but they moved through quickly. The border services guard was a young fellow who was completely intrigued by our truck...asking a bunch of questions about it. He asked how much and Steve said too much! The guard said I just need to know how much overtime I need to do. Too funny!  He then decided he should get "down to business", took our passports, asked the usual questions and then said welcome back. We were a little over on our allowable purchases but they usually let that slide if it's not a lot over.

We arrived at Peace Arch RV Park at 1:30, registered at the office and walked the short distance to site B6 to double check it before bringing in the rig. We didn't expect an issue since it was just 2 sites down from the site we were in last April. The biggest issue is can we get a satellite signal with all the tall trees.
With the rig all levelled off, we unhitched and got to work setting up. Home sweet home until we move onto our favourite spot at Fort Camping in Fort Langley.
With our set up complete, we sat outside...all bundled up...and toasted our return to Canada after a wonderful winter season.
We travelled 10,551 km/6,594 miles. In our 173 days down south we spent $2,655.94 on diesel which averages to $442.00 per month. Heading south in October and back to Canada in March are obviously our largest fuel months. We spent $2,457.91 on camping fees which averages $14.20 per night. We spent more time in private campgrounds this year than we normally would, mainly for Christmas and New Years. These costs are in US dollars so an additional 30% added to the $5,113.85 US would work out to $6,648.00 Canadian, or $1108.00 per month, and would probably be a fair estimate of actual costs.

THE END! :)



Tuesday, March 27, 2018 (Travel to Tulalip Resort Casino, Tulalip, WA)

After a peaceful night, we were up and on the road just before 8:00 this morning. We drove the short distance back to I-5 and headed north. There was a little blue sky to start the travel day off...
We crossed the McKenzie River...
About 10 miles up the I-5, we took the exit into Coburg. We thought we would stop at RV Glass Solutions to see if they could give us an estimate on the cost of fixing/replacing our dual pane trailer windows. After the 2012 RV Dreams Rally in Harrisburg, Howard and Linda had their windows done here. Many of ours are a in various degrees of fogging due to broken seals.
This facility is huge! A young lady came out to have a look at our rig, then worked up an estimate for us. We didn't have the time for an appointment to have a technician inspect and do a formal quote. Apparently if a window has had fogging for a long time they aren't repairable as the fogging has etched into the glass. Our largest window is also an emergency escape and has had fogging for 3 years now, but it's only visible in direct sunlight. The remainder started fogging in the last year.   If they are repairable there is only a 2 year warranty and they will eventually fog again. The other option she gave was replacing the windows with 7/16" laminate glass, same as a windshield and they have a lifetime warranty. Well we have 11 windows and her estimate to replace 9 windows with laminate glass that weren't emergency escape windows was $3430 plus up to another $1000 to replace the 2 escape windows with dual pane glass if they aren't repairable. Laminate glass cannot be used in emergency escape windows due to their weight. We are now in the unfortunate position where we have to make a decision...is it worth putting lots of money into our 8 year old rig or go new or almost new with a warranty. Just like a house, repairs and upgrades are necessary, however an old RV doesn't increase in value as it gets older like a house will. We also need to replace carpeting, we have a crack in our shower pan that Steve did a temporary repair using JB Weld, our graphic decals are cracked and fading, is our frame still structurally sound?, etc. Steve asked Howard at the RV Dreams Boon Docking Rally if he thought upgrading an older unit was worth it and he said he did as long as it's a sound unit.
After a short stop there, we were back on I-5 continuing north. Lots of beautiful lush countryside...
 As we approached Portland, for a change, we took I-205 that bypassed downtown Portland...wow! 100% better than staying on the I-5!


We crossed the Columbia River into Washington State...
We arrived at the Walmart in Battle Ground, WA at 11:00. Tyler from Tough Top Awnings was waiting for us and got right to work on replacing our torn slide topper...off with the old one! Unfortunately, it was raining...
On with the new one. Steve and Earl replaced this one 3 years ago, but they have a 5 year warranty. The only charge was $75 for the installation. Tyler proved this can be done with only one person but Steve wouldn't want to do it without another ladder and a set of hands!
In about a half hour Tyler had the topper replaced. It was only 11:30...too early to stop and stay here overnight...but still about another 3 1/2 hour drive to Tulalip. We decided to go into Red Robin, conveniently located across the parking lot, for a quick lunch...and then continue on.

We went through some major rain....
Tacoma Dome...

We took the I-405, the bypass around Seattle, going through Bellevue. This is where we decided it had not been such a great decision to go all of the way to Tulalip today. We should have picked a stop somewhere well before the greater Seattle area to spend the night. Driving through this area during rush hour is bad enough but with a number of traffic accidents too...well it was pure hell!
 Even back on the I-5 north of Seattle and into Everett was backed up!


We finally pulled into Tulalip Casino RV parking at 6:00...after 273 miles/437 km and an hour and a half later than the original ETA! We'll never, ever do that again!
There were only a couple of pull-through spots available...we pulled into one, got levelled off, slides out and then relaxed for a bit.

Then we walked across to the casino for a beer, before returning home and heating up left over pizza from our dinner last night.

Since we had basically arrived in Tulalip a day early...the original plan was to arrive Wednesday, spend 2 nights and then cross the border Friday...I contacted Peace Arch RV Park in Surrey to see if by chance our site would be available on Thursday. Well, it turned out that it was available starting at 1:00 tomorrow. So we're going to by-pass Cabela's and the Outlet Stores and head back into BC tomorrow.


Monday, March 26, 2018 (Travel to Valley River Center, Eugene, OR)

It was a beautiful morning as we pulled out of Rolling Hills Casino and made our way back over to the I-5 and continued north. After two long travel days we enjoyed taking the extra day off to rest and wait out the snowy weather in the mountain passes. It was an uneventful travel day...as usual, I took a number of pictures of the stunning scenery along the way.

We crossed the Sacramento River a number of times as it wound back and forth...
We could even see Mt. Shasta way in the distance...
Shasta Lake....

The water level is very high compared to other times we've passed this way...




We again cross another arm of the lake...



Believe these mountains to be Castle Crags...
Mt. Shasta is shrouded with cloud...

Black Butte...

Steve calls theses "Easter Egg trucks"...fitting considering it's Easter this weekend!
We stopped at the Weed Rest Area, which is right next to the local airstrip...of course, Steve had to get pictures of the planes...Mt.Shasta still hiding...
Water Bomber...
Metal statues in a field...
What's that just beyond those trees?
There seem to be a number of metal statues in the fields...Looks like Dino is running after us!

Not sure what these are on the Shasta River, perhaps baskets for trapping fish?



Oregon!
The climb begins...

Siskiyou Mtn Summit...4310 feet...Highest Elevation on I-5...
And down we go...
Lake Shastina...
We think this is Table Rock...
Rogue River...



We went through a number of mountain passes...before dropping down into Canyonville...and Seven Feathers Casino. We've heard this is a great place for a stopover, however it's always been either too close or too far away depending on the time and our direction of travel...
Stopping at Seven Feathers Travel Center to fuel up with diesel  @ $3.13 per/gal, cheapest we've see so far in Oregon.

South Umpqua River...

So lush and green!

Winchester Dam and fish ladder...


We left the I-5 at Eugene, OR, making our way over to the Valley River Center...arriving about 8 hours and 384 miles/614 km later. They allow overnight parking in their huge back parking lot, along side the Willamette River. We had just gotten levelled off when Security came by to issue a permit for us. Only one other RV parked nearby...
Steve took the camera and headed out for a bit of a walk while I set things up inside. The pedestrian bridge over the river. This area is very popular with cyclists, runners and walkers with paths on both sides of the river...

Our rig on the right...
Looking in the opposite side of the bridge...
Looking towards Valley River Center...
It's very peaceful here...
After relaxing for a bit, we decided to walk over to BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse for dinner. Steve really liked their Jeremiah Red Beer while I had a Margarita (their drink special...tasted more like straight lime juice!). Monday night is half priced deep dish pizza...so we shared their "BJ's Favorite". We had plenty left over for lunch tomorrow!
Another long travel day down...